Talk Yourself Up

As Designers, we care about every little detail—typography, color, kerning, corner radius, aspect ratios, and so many other little things that make big, beautiful, and impactful designs exist in the world. Our obsession with all of these and clients who need to approve the work leave us wrestling with self-doubt and self-criticism consistently. However, something small that can go a long way in strategically altering our mindset to be more resilient and enhance our performance is the strategic application of affirmations.

Affirmations are often dismissed as mere positive thinking, but they are rooted in substantial scientific evidence. Several studies in Neuroscience reveal that self-affirmation activates the brain's reward centers, enhancing resilience and mitigating stress responses (research paper, for the nerds out there). This activation is crucial for maintaining composure and creativity under pressure (sadly, most creatives live on pressure-island). Individuals who practice self-affirmation show improved problem-solving abilities, particularly under stressful conditions. This means that affirmations can enhance cognitive flexibility and adaptability, both of which are needed for success in the dynamic design field.

Practicing affirmation as a designer can help with receiving and internalizing continuous feedback. It can shift the internal dialogue from self-criticism to constructive self-reflection.To harness the benefits of affirmations, they must be carefully integrated into your daily routines. Here are a few steps for effective implementation:

Identify Relevant Affirmations: Reflect on personal and professional strengths. Craft affirmations that align with your individual goals and the broader objectives of your projects. Examples:

• "I am a skilled designer, capable of innovative and impactful solutions." or you could go with "I am a Bad A** Designer, my work makes a difference."

Consistency is Key: Regular repetition of affirmations is crucial. Incorporate them into your daily routines, such as starting the day with a positive affirmation or reciting them before initiating a challenging project.

Leverage Visual Reminders: Place affirmations strategically to remind you of your strengths and goals. These could be on your desk, your MacBook wallpaper, your refrigerator ( if you snack a lot.lol), or even as notifications on your phone. Visual cues reinforce the positive messages and help maintain a constructive internal dialogue.

Let's be clear, incorporating affirmations is not about ignoring areas for improvement but about creating a balanced perspective.It's about acknowledging and celebrating successes, fostering a positive self-view, and nurturing potential. This balanced perspective is crucial for sustained creativity and innovation.

Affirmations are a powerful yet under-utilized tool in the designer's toolkit. By including affirmations in your toolkit, you will foster a more resilient and positive mindset, essential for thriving.

‍

Talk yourself up and witness the transformative impact on your perspective and performance.

‍

And if you are not sure you can be dedicated to getting affirmations done daily, here's another hack to set your mind going with confidence in the right direction, Music. Sarah has provided two that work wonders, so feel the vibe.